Jim McMillen, Football • 1921-23, Wrestling • 1923-24

Jim McMillen was a 1923 Consensus All-American as a guard blocking for the immortal Red Grange. He also earned Second-Team All-America honors in 1922 and First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 1922 and 1923. McMillen was captain of the undefeated national and Big Ten champion squad of 1923. After college, he played guard five seasons for the Chicago Bears. McMillen also wrestled for the Illini, losing just two matches in three years and helping the Illini to the 1924 Big Ten title. He finished second at the 1923 conference meet and tied for third at the 1924 meet. While playing for the Bears, he continued to wrestle professionally on the side and even left the team for a time because of how much money he was making in the ring. In 1932, he was given a chance to buy stock in the Bears which eventually allowed him to become of the team’s vice presidents. He died in 1984 at the age of 81.